WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Seven police officers were arrested for their involvement in a high-speed chase that left two innocent women dead, the Palm Beach County State Attorney's office announced on Thursday.
State Attorney Alexcia Cox said the pursuit started in West Palm Beach on July 30, 2024. According to reporters from Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach, police said Neoni Copeland, 23, was speeding away from officers when he crashed into a vehicle. Maria Pochette, 57, and her pregnant daughter, 27-year-old Jenice Woods, were inside. Both died as a result of the crash.
After an investigation by the Public Corruption Unit, officers Austin B. Danielovich, Pierre F. Etienne and Christopher C. Rekdahl were arrested on two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and one count of official misconduct.
Four more officers, Michael E. Borgen, William L. Loayza, Brandan C. Stedfelt and Darien J. Thomas, were arrested on one count of official misconduct.
"The police officers’ actions are a disturbing betrayal of the public trust,” State Attorney Cox said. “Law enforcement officers have a duty to the public they swore to uphold. No one is above the law, and this office will pursue justice wherever the facts and the law lead."
The announcement did not provide any other details about what led up to the crash.
Pasco County woman trying to rebuild mobile home after hurricanes
"I cried, of course, because I've worked very hard getting it nice, which has been difficult for me since I lost my husband and being alone,” Kelly Welty said.
Welty's mobile home lost its roof during Hurricane Milton. She said it was the only one in the Buena Vista community to get totaled by a tornado.
